First day of the 83rd Texas Legislature

January 8, 2013 4:16 PM

The Texas state capitol is masked by drizzle and fog on the opening day of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Texas state capitol is masked by drizzle and fog on the opening day of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

The Texas state capitol is masked by drizzle and fog on the opening... Photo-4000511.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 2 of 31

Kimberly Nemecek, with the Texas House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms office, places yellow roses on top the representatives desk before the start the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. The roses were courtesy of St. Rep. Dist. 77 Marisa Marquez. less

Kimberly Nemecek, with the Texas House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms office, places yellow roses on top the representatives desk before the start the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Kimberly Nemecek, with the Texas House of Representatives... Photo-3999618.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 31

District 62 St. Rep. Larry Phillips, right, shakes hands with outgoing St. Rep. Dist. 40 Aaron Pena (tilde over the n), before the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

District 62 St. Rep. Larry Phillips, right, shakes hands with outgoing St. Rep. Dist. 40 Aaron Pena (tilde over the n), before the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, ... more

Rep. Joe Straus, center, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, center, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, with his wife Julie, left, is sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, right, during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, kisses his wife Julie, left, after he was sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Joe Straus, right, R-San Antonio, kisses his wife Julie, left, after he was sworn in as speaker of the house by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, ... more

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, center, R-Waco, and Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Port Arthur, right, join with fellow representatives and family members for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, center, R-Waco, and Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Port Arthur, right, join with fellow representatives and family members for the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening session of the 83rd ... more

St. Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, kisses his wife, Cehlia Newman-Menendez, as they and their children from left, Austin, 5, Victoria Elise, 10 and Dominic Michael, 12, wait the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

St. Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, kisses his wife, Cehlia Newman-Menendez, as they and their children from left, Austin, 5, Victoria Elise, 10 and Dominic Michael, 12, wait the start of the 83rd Texas ... more

State Rep. Phillip Cortez, D-San Antonio, acknowledges supporters after he and the rest of the representatives were sworn in at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

State Rep. Phillip Cortez, D-San Antonio, acknowledges supporters after he and the rest of the representatives were sworn in at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, ... more

Cinco Guillen, 2, looks over at her father, Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, during the invocation at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. With them is his wife, Dalinda, (cq). On the right is Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, (tilde over n in Pena) and his son, Aren, (cq). less

Cinco Guillen, 2, looks over at her father, Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, during the invocation at the start of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. With ... more

Senator Leticia Van de Putte is helped to the podium to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte is helped to the podium to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Senator Leticia Van de Putte is helped to the podium to be sworn in... Photo-4001658.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 23 of 31

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate... Photo-4001623.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 24 of 31

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Senator Leticia Van de Putte speaks after being sworn in as Senate... Photo-4001625.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 25 of 31

Senator leticia Van de Putte is brought down the center aisle of the Senate to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator leticia Van de Putte is brought down the center aisle of the Senate to be sworn in as Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte acknowledges applause after being nominated for Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Senator's mother, Belle Ortiz is at her side. less

Senator Leticia Van de Putte acknowledges applause after being nominated for Senate Pro Tem during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature session, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Senator's ... more

A small rally proceeds in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

A small rally proceeds in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

A small rally proceeds in the rotunda area during the opening of... Photo-4001651.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 28 of 31

Luis Figueroa (center), who is a legislative attorney for MALDEF, speaks at a small rally in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. less

Luis Figueroa (center), who is a legislative attorney for MALDEF, speaks at a small rally in the rotunda area during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Luis Figueroa (center), who is a legislative attorney for MALDEF,... Photo-4001650.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 29 of 31

Senator Rick Santorum poses for pictures on the floor of the Senate during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Senator Rick Santorum poses for pictures on the floor of the Senate during the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Senator Rick Santorum poses for pictures on the floor of the Senate... Photo-4001618.54852 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 30 of 31

UTSA President Ricardo Romo on the floor of the Senate before the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo on the floor of the Senate before the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature at the State Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

UTSA President Ricardo Romo on the floor of the Senate before the... Photo-4001619.54852 - San Antonio Express-News